How to Prevent Chlamydia

Story at-a-glance -

If you’re sexually active, make sure that you and your partner use sexual protection such as condoms unless you’re certain that both of you are not infected with chlamydia

Communication is key between the two of you — inform your partner of infections that you may currently have or are being treated for

There are two major ways to prevent yourself from becoming infected with chlamydia and from further spreading this disease to other people. The first is by making sure you don’t have unprotected sex with your partner (whether it’s vaginal, anal or oral sex)1, given that chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

So, if you’re sexually active, make sure that you and your partner use protection such as condoms unless you’re certain that both of you are not infected with chlamydia.2 Communication is key between the two of you — inform your partner of infections that you may currently have or are being treated for.

Furthermore, if you or your partner is already diagnosed with chlamydia, see to it that the one who is infected is treated first, and then retested for the infection before having sex again.3 It also would be proactive for both of you to be tested, just to be sure that the other isn’t unknowingly also carrying the infection asymptomatically.

Being tested periodically for chlamydia is the other way to help prevent spreading this STI. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that sexually active women aged 25 and under should be screened for chlamydia yearly. Likewise, older women who have multiple sexual partners or other risk factors for chlamydia should be examined for this STI.4 A woman who was already diagnosed with chlamydia should be retested around three months after treatment.5

The CDC also advises that sexually active men (whether homosexual, bisexual or men who have sex with men [MSM]) should have an annual screening not just for chlamydia, but also for other STIs.6 Young men should also think about being checked for chlamydia, especially when there’s a rampant surge in chlamydia cases among people with whom he may be acquainted.7

Meanwhile, if you’re a couple who plan on having a child, you should undergo tests for chlamydia and other STIs prior to conceiving. If you happen to have been diagnosed with chlamydia already, do not attempt to conceive until the disease has been treated.

A mother with chlamydia may infect her child during birth when the baby passes through the vaginal canal.8 This leads to instances of pneumonia and conjunctivitis or pink eye (this is the inflammation or swelling of the conjunctiva, a tissue located in your eye) in the newborn.9,10

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content.

If you want to use an article on your site please click here. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Mercola is required.

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content.

If you want to use an article on your site please click here. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Mercola is required.